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How to Invest in Stocks

How to Invest in Stocks

A Beginner's Guide to Stock Investing

Stocks are an equity investment that represents part ownership in a corporation and entitles you to part of that corporation's earnings and assets.

Common stock gives shareholders voting rights but no guarantee of dividend payments. Preferred stocks provides no voting rights but usually guarantees a dividend payment.

In the past, shareholders received a paper stock certificate -- called a security -- verifying the number of shares they owned. Today, share ownership is usually recorded electronically, and the shares are held in street name by your brokerage firm.

Investing in stocks can be tricky business. In fact, it's best to treat all of your investment pursuits as a business. Heck, that's what Benjamin Graham (Warren Buffett's stock market mentor) recommended.

Before you buy your first stock, you should master the basics of stock investing. This won't make you a great investor overnight, but only when you understand the fundamentals of investing can you learn how to invest in stocks with confidence.



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What Are Stocks?

Basic Stock Terms for Beginners

How to Buy Your First Stock

Stock Analysis for Beginners

How to Analyze Stocks

How to Value Stocks

Investing in Foreign Stocks

Investing in Dividend Stocks

Investing in Penny Stocks

Stock Investing Strategies

Learn More About Stocks

Investment Ideas

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